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One of the most common frustrations I hear from patients is this:
“I’ve been tested for Lyme and other tick-borne infections before, but nothing ever seems clear.”
That frustration is understandable — and in many cases, it comes down to how testing is being done.
Most conventional testing for vector-borne infections (VBIs) relies on antibody testing, which looks for evidence of immune exposure rather than the organism itself. While antibody tests can be useful early on as a screening tool, they have important limitations — especially once treatment has begun. Antibodies don’t reliably tell us whether an infection is still present, improving, or gone. They reflect immune memory, not microbial activity.
That’s why, in my practice, direct testing matters.
What makes DNA Connexions different: it is a direct test
The DNA Connexions Super Floss test is a PCR-based test. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) looks directly for genetic material from the organism itself — not antibodies, not immune response, but DNA.
This distinction is critical.
A positive PCR result means that genetic fragments of the organism are present in the body. It is evidence of microbial presence, not just past exposure. In complex chronic illness — especially when symptoms fluctuate — that information is far more actionable than antibody levels alone.
Why saliva matters: lessons from PCR research
One of the reasons the Super Floss test is so effective is where the sample comes from.
Research, including the 2021 French VBI PCR study discussed in detail here, has shown that saliva is one of the most sensitive body fluids for PCR detection of vector-borne organisms.
This makes biological sense. Many of these organisms:
- Reside in or traffic through lymphatic tissue
- Have intermittent presence in the bloodstream
- Are not reliably detectable with a simple blood draw
Saliva captures lymphatic drainage from the head and neck, making it a powerful window into infections that are otherwise difficult to detect.
Which organisms are tested
The DNA Connexions Super Floss panel tests for a wide range of clinically relevant vector-borne organisms, including but not limited to:
- Borrelia species - burgdorferi, miyamotoi, recurrentis
- Bartonella species - quintana, henselae, bacilliformia
- Babesia species - microti, duncani, divergens (does not check odocollei - can use FISH instead)
- Ehrlichia and Anaplasma
This breadth is important, because patients are often dealing with more than one organism, even if only one was initially suspected.
Understanding results: Positive, NPS, and IND
One area that often causes confusion is how results are reported. DNA Connexions uses three main qualifiers:
- Positive (no qualifier)
- NPS (Non Predicted Size)
- IND (Indeterminate)
Here is how I interpret these clinically:
- Positive and NPS are ranked the same in my practice.
An NPS result means that the detected DNA sequence is slightly different from the reference organism used in the lab — something that can happen due to genetic deletions or variations, which are common in these infections. This does not make the result less meaningful. - IND results reflect low-level detection.
In my experience, IND often represents lower microbial burden, partial suppression, or organisms that are less active at the time of testing. These results still matter and often fit very well with the clinical picture.
Importantly, genetic deletions can happen at any time, so seeing NPS is not a flaw of the test — it’s evidence of how adaptable these organisms are.
Why saliva testing is often better than urine
Urine PCR testing can sometimes be useful, but it has limitations. Most urine tests require provocation (sauna, exercise, medications) to push organisms into the urine, which:
- Is harder on patients
- Is not always practical
- Can be difficult or unsafe for children
Saliva testing does not require provocation, making it:
- Easier
- More consistent
- More accessible for younger or sensitive patients
That said, I have found that urine PCR can be particularly sensitive in menstruating females when collected the week prior to the expected period, which appears to be a time of increased microbial activity. This is something I consider selectively, not routinely.
Timing matters: when to collect the sample
Because vector-borne organisms cycle through growth phases, timing the test well improves sensitivity.
For best results, I recommend:
- Collecting saliva on a very symptomatic day
- Testing during a flare, rather than on a “good” day
Some patients also notice symptom flares around the new moon or full moon. While this has not been definitively proven in the literature, I have seen enough clinical correlation that I will recommend timing the test around these phases if symptoms reliably worsen then.
Why antibody testing loses relevance once treatment begins
Antibody tests can be helpful early on, especially as an initial screen. However, once treatment has started, antibodies:
- Do not reliably decrease in a predictable way
- Cannot tell us whether organisms are still present
- Cannot distinguish improvement from persistence
PCR testing, by contrast, allows us to assess ongoing microbial presence, which is far more useful when making treatment decisions over time.
A test patients can order directly
One of the advantages of the DNA Connexions Super Floss test is that it can be ordered directly by patients, even before seeing a physician. This allows people to gather meaningful data early, rather than waiting months or years for evaluation.
You can order the test directly here:
👉 https://dnaconnexions.com/product/birkmeier/
Use discount code: B50DNA
The test is HSA-eligible, which means it can be paid for using pre-tax dollars. If you or your family don’t currently have an HSA, I strongly recommend setting one up if possible — it’s one of the most underused tools for managing medical expenses.
The bottom line
The DNA Connexions Super Floss test stands out because it:
- Is a direct test, not an indirect immune marker
- Uses saliva, a biologically relevant and sensitive sample
- Detects multiple vector-borne organisms
- Provides clinically meaningful qualifiers when interpreted correctly
- Can be accessed without delay, even before a physician visit
In complex chronic illness, clarity matters. Direct testing gives us information we can actually use — and for many patients, it’s the missing piece that finally helps the rest of the story make sense.
Important Disclaimer
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Laboratory testing results should always be interpreted in the context of a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and clinical evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.
DNA Connexions testing identifies genetic material from organisms but does not, on its own, determine disease severity, treatment necessity, or treatment duration. Individual results and clinical responses may vary. Patients should not start, stop, or change medical treatments based solely on laboratory testing without consulting a licensed clinician.